EXPLORING DIABETES AWARENESS AND MEDICATION ADHERENCE AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETIC PARENTS OF UDAYANA MEDICAL STUDENTS

Diabetes mellitus is an ever-growing medical condition. The aim of this research is to determine the depth of knowledge on diabetes and adherence level towards medication among type 2 diabetic parents of Udayana University Medical Faculty students. This descriptive research with cross sectional design was conducted using random sampling method. A total of 60 parents with diabetes were enrolled in this study. Male to female ratio was 1:1, with mean global Diabetes Knowledge Test score of 4, 95±0, 18. The majority of parents (75, 00%) had average diabetes knowledge while 16, 67% had low knowledge and 8, 33% had high knowledge. Moreover, 70, 00% of them had low adherence level towards medication while only 18 participants (30, 00%) had average adherence. Parents’ depth of knowledge regarding diabetes was found average in this study whereas adherence level was low. Better adherence and significant associations were found with longer duration of diabetes and the male gender. Healthcare providers should pay more attention to diabetes education, especially with respect to dietary concepts. Researchers and physicians in Indonesia should do similar research to get a more comprehensive picture of patients’ knowledge of diabetes and adherence level towards medication.